The Irvine Valley women’s soccer team evened its record in Orange Empire Conference play with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Golden West on Tuesday at home.

The Lasers improved their overall record to 3-4-0 and are now 1-1-0 in conference. Golden West slipped to 0-7-0 overall and 0-3-0 in conference play.

The Lasers, who out-shot Golden West, 9-7, in the contest, took an early lead.

In the 14th minute, freshman midfielder Lindsay Seeley sent a cross into the box from the left wing. Freshman forward Arabia Ruiz was in the right spot to one-time a left-footed shot past Golden West keeper Veronica Helguera.

The Lasers nearly scored again a few minutes later, but sophomore defender Stacee Brayley’s attempt on a free kick bounced off the crossbar.

Golden West leveled the score in the 42nd minute. Brittany Woodward took a pass from Bree Neubauer and scored on a shot from near the top of the box.

But the Lasers answered right back and took the lead for good in the final minute before halftime.

Freshman defender Mabel Macias started the play with a long pass down the right side to Ruiz. She dribbled inside, faked a defender and then chipped a pass into the box to freshman forward Monica Ramirez. Ramirez sprinted by two defenders onto the ball, got past the goalie and rolled the ball in.

Golden West nearly tied the game midway through the second half, but a shot after a scramble in front of the IVC goal bounced off the post and was then cleared.

Laser goalie Christina Huapaya made four saves in the contest.

"I thought we were worth the win today," IVC Coach Simon Davies said. "I thought we could have had a couple more goals in the first half. We held on in the second half, which was good to see. We were able to shut up shop."

IVC plays again on Friday at Riverside.